PreSonus is shipping Notion 5, a major upgrade to its notation software. This new version makes it easier than ever to write your ideas quickly and includes a new video window, new effects from PreSonus Studio One, an enhanced chord library, a custom rules editor, and many notation and publishing improvements.

Notion supports Mac OS X, Windows and iPad and can run 64-bit on both Mac OS X and Windows.

This is the first update since Notion joined the PreSonus family. The user interface has been redesigned to more resemble Studio One and other PreSonus software, and Notion 5 comes with PreSonus' Native Effects Limiter, Compressor, and Pro EQ plug-ins. The new version adds a variety of enhancements for film, TV, and video composers, including a video window with a new timecode view. It can import a variety of modern video formats.

Notion 4 offered rules templates for orchestral VST libraries so you could load up an instrument and write dynamics, effects, and instrumental techniques into the score without using the VST interface or programming keyswitches. Notion 5 adds the ability to create custom rules for any VST library without editing XML files by selecting from drop-down menus.

Notation improvements make Notion even faster and easier to use, including an enharmonic spelling tool, cross-staff notation, layout and printing improvements, and new shortcut sets. You also get an enhanced chord library with more library chords, user-created chords, and recent-chord recall.

Version 5 also adds Mac Retina display support and Windows 8 touchscreen optimization.

While adding these new features and many more, Notion continues to deliver a fast and intuitive workflow, ability to work well with other studio technologies (including full ReWire support), and playback with high-quality sounds from world-class artists and studios, including the London Symphony Orchestra. Notion can output 32 audio pairs to a mixing console or in a ReWire session.

Notion 5 is available in English (US and UK), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish (Latin American) at an expected MAP/street price of $149. Academic pricing is available.